Hi all - am trying a different way to send these posts; hope they come through clearly! Julia M. West Briton Transcriptions, 1836-1856 at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wbritonad St. Austell Area History and Genealogy at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~staustell ................................................................................................................................................. WEST BRITON AND CORNWALL ADVERTISER 23 JANUARY 1857 FREEMASONRY - The festival of St. John the Evangelist was celebrated by the brethren of the Phoenix Lodge of Honor and Prudence, no. 415, Truro, on Monday last. The brethren met at the lodge room at noon, and after some preliminary business the W.M. for the ensuing year, Brother Augustus Smith, of Tresco Abbey, was installed by the P.D.P.G.M. of Cornwall, Brother Ellis, of Falmouth, assisted by the P.D.P.G.M. Brother PEARCE, of Penzance, and the P.M.'s of the Phoenix Lodge. [names then mentioned - Br. J.O. MAYNE, Br. Francis BASSETT, Br. MIDDLETON, Br. John MOYLE, the Hon. and Rev. John Townshend BOSCAWEN, Br. W.G. POWNING, Br. Trewbody CARLYON, Br. HARVEY, all invested as officers of the Lodge.] The Lodge was subsequently closed down, and the brethren shortly before four o'clock re-assembled at the Royal Hotel, where a most sumptuous repast was prepared by Mr. PEARCE, consisting of everything which the most fastidious taste could possibly desire, and the wines and dessert were as usual of the first-class character. The usual loyal, and a number of Masonic toasts were drunk, and the evening was passed with the greatest harmony and brotherly feeling. Several visitors were present from the "Fortitude," No. 153, and the "Druids," No. 859, and a visiting brother was also present from one of the New Zealand Lodges; and, as a whole, the day, from the opening of the Lodge to the dispersion of the brethren in the evening, passed off as one of the most pleasurable that Masons only know how to appreciate. TRURO IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION - At the ordinary meeting of the commissioners, held on Tuesday last, a long discussion took place in respect of complaints which had been repeatedly made by the inhabitants of Pydar Street, of the effluvia emitted by Messrs. FERRIS's tan-yard; and also as to the slaughter-house recently established behind Mr. THOMAS's premises, where a larger number of bullocks are slaughtered weekly than in any other slaughter-house in the town or neighbourhood. It may be remembered that some time since, when a second visitation of the cholera was apprehended, sanitary committees were appointed for the districts into which the town was divided for sanitary purposes; and it was at that time the unanimous opinion of those committees that no new slaughter-house should be permitted in the town. The commissioners on Tuesday had resolved that this recommendation of the committee should be adhered to, and that Mr. Thomas should therefore be required to forthwith remove the slaughter-house complained of. It was also resolved that the improvement committee should make the necessary inquiries with regard to the nuisance complained of through Messrs. Ferris's tan-yard, and report to the next meeting of the commissioners that such measures may be adopted as may be deemed desirable................ PENWITH ANNUITANT SOCIETY - The general annual meeting was held on Tuesday week at the Three Tuns, and (by adjournment) at the Corn Exchange. The accounts produced by the secretary, Mr. G. H. Bellringer, showed that GBP 9614.17s.10d. is invested in various ways, and there is in bank to the treasurer's credit, GBP 533.10s. - making GBP 10,148.10s.10d. ....the annuitants, 18; and the income GBP 1,080.3s.10d. GBP365 was paid to annuitants last year. Seven new members were admitted, and the principal officers re-elected, and the board of Direction and Committee chosen. After the transaction of business about forty members dined together at Hemmings' Hotel, Mr. Pearce in the chair, Mr. Bellringer in the vice-chair, and appropriate speeches followed................ WESLEYAN MISSIONS - On Tuesday the 13th inst., the anniversary services on behalf of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, were held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Mevagissey. There was a public tea at five o’clock in the vestry, and afterwards a public meeting in the chapel. The chair was taken by Mr. KERNICK, of Charlestown, and the meeting addressed by the ministers of the circuit, the Rev. Mr. SNELL, Independent minister, Mr. HILL, and Capt. John FURZE. Both the collections, and the proceeds of the tea, were in advance of last year................ TESTIMONIAL TO A TOWN MISSIONARY – A pleasing scene occurred on Saturday afternoon last at the Old Castle, Pendennis, by the presentation of a Silver Tea Service to Mr. Joseph KNIGHT, the Town Missionary of Falmouth. About three o'clock many of the residents, as well as several of the non-commissioned officers and gunners of the Royal Artillery, assembled in the room appropriated to divine service, when Mr. MARSHALL, barrack department, addressing Mr. Knight, said "Sir, - I feel honoured in being chosen by my friends and comrades now around me to present you with a testimonial as a mark of their esteem and respect for your kind and spiritual interest in their welfare; for the comfort and consolation afforded by you to the sick in our hospital, as well as the faithful cottage lectures on Sunday evenings. I feel assured you will value the articles presented more as the emanations of warm hearts than for their intrinsic worth." Mr. Knight, who appeared much affected, made an appropriate reply, after which Mr. PERKINS, (Royal Engineers) in expressing the good feelings of the company, said they only wished they were gold. The doxology was then sung, and the meeting closed with prayer by Mr. Knight. The inscription on the articles, which was neatly engraved by a non-commissioned officer, was as follows:- "Presented to Mr. Knight by the military at Pendennis Castle, January 1857, as a mark of their esteem."................ PENZANCE ANNUAL BALL - The annual Christmas Ball took place on Wednesday the 14th instant, at the Assembly Room, Union-Street, which was elegantly decorated for the occasion under the superintendence of Mr. F. CORNISH, one of the stewards. There were 107 present, a larger assemblage than has been known on any similar occasion for many years. Dancing commenced about nine, and was kept up with unintermitted spirit and enjoyment until nearly four the next morning. A new quadrille band, led by Mr. WEAVER, and supported by some of the best local musicians, performed in a manner which was universally admired. Mrs. BALL's refreshments also gave the utmost satisfaction, and altogether the ball was one of the most successful that has ever been known.................